Protests have erupted in Israel following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's abrupt firing of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, the Times of Israel reported Wednesday.
Israel Katz, currently the foreign minister, will become defense minister. Gideon Sa'ar will replace Katz as foreign minister, the prime minister's office said Tuesday. Neither has extensive military experience, though Katz has served in the cabinet throughout the war, CNN reported.
The move came as voters in the US, Israel's most important ally, voted for their next president. Gallant is a close interlocutor for the US administration, and has been said to have daily conversations with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, CNN said.
Gallant said his dismissal stems from disagreements on three issues: ultra-Orthodox military conscription, a hostage deal with Hamas, and a state commission of inquiry into the government's failures related to the October 7 attack that sparked the ongoing Gaza war, according to the Times of Israel.
Gallant, who was considered a moderate voice on security issues, had become an internal obstacle to Netanyahu's approach, Li Weijian, vice president of the Chinese Association of Middle East Studies, told the Global Times.
Netanyahu and Gallant have long had a divisive working relationship. During the past year, there have been reports of shouting matches between the two men over Israel's war strategy, BBC reported.
In August, the defense minister questioned the Israeli leader's goal of "total victory" over Hamas in Gaza, calling it "nonsense," The New York Times reported.
Even before the war in Gaza, Gallant had repeatedly clashed with Netanyahu. Gallant was previously dismissed in March 2023 after Gallant spoke out against Netanyahu government's proposed overhaul of the judicial system, but he was reinstated less than a month later, the Times of Israel reported.
Over a year later, hostages remain unaccounted for, and the safety situation has become unprecedentedly perilous. In this context, Gallant, who advocated for hostage release, was dismissed, prompting protests among ordinary Israelis who are increasingly discontented, Li said.
Thousands of text messages were sent to anti-government lists calling on citizens to protest the move, and large crowds gathered in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa Caesarea, and other locations t
The Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, started its 12th session in Beijing on Monday, with lawmakers reviewing a series of legislative drafts including a draft preschool education law and a draft revision to the Law on Protection of Cultural Relics, according to the Xinhua News Agency on Monday.
Zhao Leji, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, presided over the session's first plenary meeting, said Xinhua. The session is scheduled to last until Friday.
Among the draft laws under review, the draft preschool education law is aimed at enhancing preschool children's rights and ensuring their safety, Huang Haihua, spokesperson for the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee, said at a press conference on November 1.
Huang noted that the revised provisions of the draft law require special care for preschoolers with unique needs, such as those with specific health conditions.
To further safeguard children's rights, the draft mandates that kindergartens and other educational institutions handle children's personal information responsibly, ensuring their privacy and reputation are protected, according to Huang. Huang said that the draft outlines regulations to ensure food safety in kindergartens and enhance security in surrounding areas.
The review of the draft preschool education law holds significant importance. It can help alleviate the burdens faced by young families in terms of childbirth and child-rearing, promoting diversified preschool education services, and encourage the participation of various social entities to enhance the parenting environment, Zhang Shuhua, director of the Institute of Political Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Monday.
Xiong Bingqi, director of the 21st Century Education Research Institute, told the Global Times that the draft is significant as it can strengthen support for preschool education and regulate the operation of kindergartens.
Lawmakers also deliberated a draft amendment to the Law on Deputies to the National People's Congress and to the Local People's Congresses at Various Levels, and other draft law revisions.
The draft amendment to the law on the deputies was submitted for its first review during the 12th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th NPC on Monday, marking the fourth amendment to the law since its enactment in 1992, according to Xinhua.
It includes enhancing regulations for capacity building of people's congress deputies, improving the mechanism for handling deputies' proposals and suggestions, and regulations for the supervision and management of the deputies' performance, according to Huang.
According to the National Space Science Center (NSSC) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the scientific experiment mirror platform of the China Space Station has recently entered operation phase, providing critical support for scientific research conducted on the station.
The mirror platform is equipped with 14 scientific experiment cabinets, as well as corresponding information, power distribution, fluid cooling and other public support equipment inside and outside the cabin. It is a scientific experiment system on the ground that operates in parallel with the China Space Station. The matching and verification experiments of a large number of scientific experiments that are about to be carried out by the crew members of the Shenzhou 19 spacecraft have already been done there before its launch.
As a critical component of the national space laboratory's ground infrastructure, the mirror platform serves three primary purposes. First, final testing of scientific payloads destined for the Shenzhou and Tianzhou spacecrafts is conducted here before launch, and astronauts can also conduct operational training for scientific experiments. Second, scientific experiments scheduled for the China Space Station can be simulated in advance. Last, in the event of an in-orbit fault, troubleshooting and solution verification can be carried out here, and space-to-ground comparison experiments are supported.
On October 30, China Space Station welcomed the new Shenzhou 19 crew. The three taikonauts on Shenzhou 19 spaceflight mission entered the Tiangong Space Station and met with the other taikonaut trio stationed there.
The primary goals of Shenzhou 19 are to reside on the space station for about six months, conduct space science and application experiments, perform extravehicular activities (EVAs), manage cargo entry and exit, install and recover space debris protection devices and other external equipment on the space station.
The scheduled experiments during the mission include an unprecedented exposure experiment involving bricks made from simulated lunar soil -- a potential building material for future habitats on the moon. The mission carries great importance for the country's development of future manned lunar projects.
China Space Station on Wednesday welcomed the arrival of the new batch of residents - the youngest-ever crew comprising of Shenzhou-19 mission commander Cai Xuzhe and new taikonaut Song Lingdong and female taikonaut Wang Haoze, both of whom were born in 1990, at 12:51 pm, after the manned spacecraft successfully docked with the space station combination at 11 am, 6.5 hours after the lift-off from northwest China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
Wang Ya'nan, chief editor of Beijing-based Aerospace Knowledge magazine, said the Shenzhou-19 mission is unique. With its young lineup, the involvement of a female taikonaut and scheduled experiments during the mission, including the unprecedented exposure experiment of the bricks made from simulated lunar soil - a potential building material for future habitats on the moon, the mission carries great importance for the country's development of future manned lunar projects.
Cai returned to the China Space Station on the Shenzhou-19 manned mission just 22 months after his last flight on Shenzhou-14, setting a record for the shortest interval between missions in the history of Chinese taikonauts. Song and Wang were both born in 1990 and are members of the country's third batch taikonauts. The Shenzhou-19 mission is their debut in space. Wang is also the country's first female spaceflight engineer, according to the China Manned Space Agency on Tuesday.
This mission marks the fourth crewed flight in the application and development phase of the space station and the 33rd flight of China's manned space program. Its primary goals are to complete an in-orbit crew rotation with the Shenzhou-18 crew, reside on the space station for about six months, conduct space science and application experiments, perform extravehicular activities (EVAs), manage cargo entry and exit, install and recover space debris protection devices and other external equipment on the space station, Lin Xiqiang, a CMSA spokesperson, revealed at a press conference on Tuesday.
The mission will also involve public outreach, space education, and payload experiments to further enhance space station operational efficiency and maximize its overall utility, Lin said.
During their stay in orbit, the Shenzhou-19 crew will receive the Tianzhou-8 cargo spacecraft and the Shenzhou-20 crewed spacecraft, with their return to the Dongfeng landing site scheduled in late April or early May, said the spokesperson.
After the in-orbit crew rotation with the Shenzhou-19 crew, the Shenzhou 18 crew is set to return to the Dongfeng landing site on November 4, Lin said.
Further optimization
The Global Times learned from the spacecraft developer China Academy of Spacecraft Technology under the country's leading space contractor CASC, on Wednesday that for this Shenzhou-19 mission, the development team optimized the orbital module's design and layout to enhance payload transportation capacity, increasing storage space by 20 percent.
This improvement enables taikonauts and related systems to carry more time-sensitive and ad-hoc supplies. Not only does this advancement support the ongoing improvement of the Shenzhou-19 crewed spacecraft and new-generation spacecraft, gradually enhancing payload transport capabilities, but it also provides more efficient and stable in-orbit support for the long-term operation of China Space Station, the academy said in a statement it provided to the Global Times.
Further optimizing the mission, the Long March-2F Y19 rocket had implemented a 30-day testing and launch preparation process for the first time, its developer, the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology revealed to the Global Times.
Future manned moon programs
The Shenzhou-19 crew includes two taikonauts born in 1990, making them the youngest crew since the manned space station missions began, Wang said.
This change can be attributed to two main reasons, he explained that with the space station now operational, there is a need for a large number of taikonauts for rotations and demanding tasks.
China is pressing ahead with its goal to land taikonauts on the moon by 2030, accelerating with the development and construction efforts to turn this ambition into reality, the CMSA announced at a press conference on Tuesday.
Wang also said that considering future manned lunar missions, more taikonauts are needed for both testing and actual flight operations, ideally within the 35 to 45 age range for optimal performance. Thus, the participation of 90s-born taikonauts in current manned space mission is indeed encouraging. Selecting younger taikonauts will help ensure that seasoned taikonauts take on leadership and organizational roles during complex future missions, while younger taikonauts focus on collaborative tasks.
China Space Station also welcomed its third female taikonaut and the first female flight engineer in the latest Shenzhou-19 mission.
As manned space missions evolve, the inclusion of more women in manned flights is becoming an inevitable trend. For long-term missions at the space station or future lunar bases, the dynamics are similar, akin to forming a work family in a closed environment, the participation of female taikonauts greatly benefits the work atmosphere. The involvement of female taikonauts indicates that China will incorporate more female technical personnel in future manned missions, Wang noted.
During the Shenzhou-19 mission, biological experiments at the space station will be further enriched based on the first aquatic ecosystem (fish farming) conducted during Shenzhou-18 mission, including experiments with fruit flies.
Three taikonauts of Shenzhou-19 mission will conduct experiments in life sciences, fluid dynamics, combustion, and materials science. Notably, fruit flies will be used as experimental subjects for the first time, creating a sub-magnetic environment in space to study their growth and behavior, according to the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Zhang Wei, a researcher at the Space Application Engineering and Technology Center of the CAS, explained that while Earth has a magnetic field, the moon lacks one, and Mars has a weak magnetic field. By establishing a sub-magnetic environment in space, researchers can investigate how sub-magnetic conditions and microgravity affect animal behavior and growth development.
Fruit flies are an important model organism due to their small size, short life cycle, rapid reproduction, and relatively low chromosome count, making them ideal for genetic experiments. Additionally, many genes in fruit flies are similar to those in humans, providing insights into human genetic diseases and laying the groundwork for studying human adaptability in space.
Additionally, Zhang revealed that as experimental devices and key technologies advance, rat experiments will also be conducted aboard the China Space Station in the future.
According to China Central Television, the lunar bricks made of lunar soil simulant will be sent to China's space station aboard the Tianzhou-8 cargo spacecraft to verify their mechanical and thermal performance, as well as their ability to withstand cosmic radiation. The first lunar brick is expected to return to Earth by the end of 2025.
This unprecedented exposure experiment on "lunar bricks" is a highlight of the Shenzhou-19 mission, Wang said. "China is broadening its research scope and intensifying its investigation, seeking pathways for swift engineering applications. Research on lunar bricks is essential for future lunar scientific explorations, as building long-term research bases on the moon requires construction materials, with the most practical approach being to utilize local resources and, ideally, on-site manufacturing."
If this exposure experiment yields optimistic results, it would mean that the engineering technology for constructing bases on the moon would be supported by data, ensuring its feasibility, Wang said.
When asked if the Shenzhou-19 manned spacecraft mission embodies China's future moon missions, Kang Guohua, a professor of Aerospace Engineering at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, told the Global Times on Wednesday that one of the most marvelous features of the mission is to bridge the country's grand manned space program and the lunar exploration missions.
People look at a cybertruck of Tesla at an exhibition of the 2024 World Cities Day China Observance in Weihai, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 26, 2024. More than 2000 delegates from over 30 countries and regions attended the event. (Photo: Xinhua)
Bill Nelson, head of US space agency NASA, has revealed that in order to join world scientists in analyzing rocks retrieved by China from the moon, he has engaged with American lawmakers to dismiss "national security" concerns and believes that talks on the issue with China will end "positively."
Nelson's gesture epitomizes the US' "divided" mind-set in engaging with China - it remains entrenched in Cold War thinking, seeking various restrictions on China, while in light of the current setbacks in lunar exploration it pursues cooperation, Chinese observers said.
They suggested that to launch real cooperation with China, it is essential for Washington to face up to its current state of lunar exploration technology and correct the US government's understanding of its policy toward China, adding that China is open to having space exchanges with the US.
Nelson said officials with his agency have been discussing with their Chinese counterparts the terms of Beijing's loan agreement for the Chang'e-5 moon rocks after he assured US lawmakers "a month or two ago" that the talks would not pose national security concerns, Reuters reported.
"We are now going through further clarification" with China, Nelson told Reuters at the International Astronautical Congress, a gathering of the world's space agencies, in Milan. Nelson said he thinks the talks will end "positively," with China agreeing to provide access to samples.
The US space agency's interest in collaborating with China to study moon rocks comes alongside China's increasing capabilities in space exploration.
China's Chang'e-5 mission successfully retrieved 1,731 grams of lunar samples at the end of 2020, making China the third country to collect rocks from the lunar surface.
The first batch of lunar samples from the far side of the moon, collected by China's Chang'e-6 mission, is expected to be distributed to domestic scientists by the end of 2024, with availability for international researchers to follow.
The last lunar samples collected by the US were obtained during the manned Apollo 17 mission, which returned to Earth on December 14, 1972, media reported.
Nelson's optimism in asking for samples from China may be an attempt to create a positive atmosphere and persuade the Congress to advance negotiations with China, Kang Guohua, a professor of Aerospace Engineering at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, told the Global Times on Thursday.
From the perspective of space engagement between China and US, Kang said that the US has exhibited a "divided" mind-set. On the one hand, some in Congress remain entrenched in Cold War thinking, believing that cooperation with China should be limited to prevent technology theft, while on the other hand, in light of the current setbacks in lunar exploration, others seek to downplay the impact of restrictions like the Wolf Amendment on bilateral space collaboration to foster cooperation.
To overcome this "divided" mind-set, the US must first face up to the current state of lunar exploration technology between the two countries, and should also abandon the "Cold War" mentality, seek common ground and opportunities for collaboration, and promote mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of aerospace, Kang said.
Collaboration on space has long been hampered by the Wolf Amendment, named after now-retired US congressman Frank Wolf. Under this law, NASA must work with the FBI to certify to Congress that any such talks with China would not threaten US national security, according to Reuters.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said in July that China is open to having space exchanges with the US, but the real question is whether US scientists and institutions are allowed by their own government to participate in cooperation with China, Mao said.
"A notable characteristic of US behavior in engaging with other countries is that when it feels it is in need of others, it seeks dialogue, otherwise it pursues suppression of others," Li Haidong, a professor from the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times.
The US views China-US aerospace exchanges through an absolute security lens. It is essential to correct the US understanding of its policy toward China. If this understanding remains flawed, discussions on various topics, including aerospace, will continue to hit dead ends, Li added.
At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, David Lammy, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the UK, will pay an official visit to China from October 18 to 19, said Mao Ning, spokesperson of Chinese FM
In an era marked by unprecedented global transformations, the world stands at a critical crossroads, grappling with deepening deficits in peace, development, security, and governance. As humanity faces unparalleled challenges during this tumultuous period, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, has put forth a solemn call to action through the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI).
The three pivotal initiatives address the pressing issues of our time, offering viable pathways and robust support for the building of a global community of shared future. Rooted in the rich historical experiences of the CPC's century-long struggle and infused with the wisdom of China's traditional culture, these initiatives are expected to unite the world in the pursuit of common progress and stability.
To offer a deep understanding of the GDI, the GSI, and the GCI, and elaborate on their significance on a global scale, the Global Times is launching series of articles featuring engaging stories and in-depth interviews to provide our readers with a comprehensive insight into the three initiatives.
Navigating the world of nuclear energy is like walking a tightrope - one misstep can have far-reaching consequences.
China has been on the path of nuclear safety regulation for over 40 years.
In 1984, China established the National Nuclear Safety Administration (NNSA), which was given the responsibility of overseeing and managing the safety of the country's civilian nuclear facilities.
In March 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed at the third Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague "a rational, coordinated and balanced" nuclear safety strategy and called for a global nuclear security system featuring fairness and win-win cooperation.
China's nuclear safety strategy reflects Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in the nuclear field and constitutes an integral part of China's holistic approach to national security, stated the White Paper entitled "Nuclear Safety in China" issued by China's State Council Information Office in September 2019.
Over the past decade, through a series of effective measures, China has ensured the safe operation of its domestic nuclear energy sector, while also contributing valuable expertise and insight to the enhancement of the international nuclear safety framework.
As of September 2024, there are 57 operational nuclear power units in the Chinese mainland, with 30 units under construction and 15 more approved for construction, totaling 102 units. The total installed capacity of these units is 113.13 million kilowatts, according to NNSA.
China's practices and innovations in nuclear safety showcase its strong commitment to share more successful experience with the international community, provide more public goods, and work together to promote the Global Security Initiative (GSI) to take root in the nuclear field.
New solutions
In April 2022, President Xi proposed the GSI to promote global security while delivering a keynote speech via video at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2022, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
"I put forward the Global Security Initiative (GSI), which advocates a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, follows the philosophy that humanity is an indivisible security community, and aims to create a new path to security that features dialogue over confrontation, partnership over alliance and win-win over zero-sum," Xi said.
The practical application of the nuclear security concept within the GSI includes promoting international cooperation in nuclear safety and building a fair, cooperative, and win-win global nuclear security system.
Luo Jianjun, an official from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (National Nuclear Safety Administration), told the Global Times that "the GSI offers new ideas and solutions to address the complex international security landscape. It emphasizes tackling global security challenges through solidarity, cooperation, dialogue, and consultation, while respecting the legitimate security concerns of all nations and coordinating efforts across both traditional and non-traditional security domains."
"This initiative not only highlights China's strong commitment to world peace and security but also provides a new platform for the international community to foster win-win cooperation and shared development," he noted. "Through the implementation of the GSI, we can anticipate the creation of a more just, equal, open, and inclusive international security system, encouraging all nations to participate in global security governance and contribute to the protection of world peace and stability."
Safety first China's nuclear safety practices, driven by continuous innovation and improvement, have not only ensured the safe operation of its domestic nuclear facilities, but have also made China an important contributor to global nuclear safety governance.
Over the years, China has implemented a comprehensive set of measures aimed at enhancing nuclear safety, from technological advancements to optimization of legal frameworks and regulatory systems.
Following the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011, China responded swiftly by conducting a thorough review of all its nuclear facilities, including both operational and under-construction plants, civilian research reactors, and nuclear fuel cycle facilities.
For instance, at the Qinshan nuclear power plant in East China's Zhejiang Province, the height of the dykes was increased to hedge against extreme weather. All nuclear power plants have been equipped with Station Black-out (SBO) diesel generators to ensure power supply during critical moments, according to the NNSA.
China remains at the forefront of developing and applying advanced nuclear technologies. The proprietary HPR-1000 reactor, a third-generation pressurized water reactor, incorporates cutting-edge safety features and has become the dominant reactor type for China's nuclear power projects, playing a key role in the country's export strategy.
China maintains independent, stringent, and effective regulation, ensuring that the nuclear industry prioritizes safety above all else. Since 2002, China has introduced a strict personnel qualification system for key nuclear workers, including operators, non-destructive testing technicians, and nuclear-grade welders. Registered nuclear safety engineers must pass a national exam, with ongoing education to improve their skills.
Since 2011, the country required all newly built reactors to employ third-generation or more advanced technology, ensuring higher safety standards. Existing reactors are also regularly assessed according to the latest standards, with ongoing improvements implemented.
Meanwhile, comprehensive and independent regulation throughout the entire lifecycle of nuclear facilities is implemented. This includes full reviews, continuous law enforcement, and 24/7 radiation monitoring. Key control points are established for critical safety concerns, with a conservative approach to ensure safety.
The country has expanded its plant-level experience feedback system into a national platform that collects and shares lessons learned from both domestic and international nuclear operations. This system helps identify safety weaknesses and improves nuclear safety management across the industry.
A key feature of China's nuclear safety regulation is its high degree of transparency and public engagement.
The regulatory body has developed an indicator system to monitor nuclear plant performance. The public can also access real-time data. Nuclear facility incident reports and real-time national radiation monitoring data are also published.
International responsibility
China upholds the principles of cooperation and mutual benefit, fulfills its international obligations and participates in global nuclear safety governance to improve the international nuclear safety framework.
Through a series of practical measures, China has addressed concerns about its nuclear safety transparency and technical competency, demonstrating its commitment to global nuclear safety and fulfilling its responsibilities as a major power.
Since 1994, China has undergone five international peer reviews organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), recognizing China's nuclear safety regulatory system in terms of the perspectives of technical and policy assessments. These reviews have helped improve key areas such as legislation, nuclear facility safety, emergency preparedness, and waste management.
In a 2010 review, experts from 15 countries highly recognized China's regulatory system and proposed valuable recommendations.
The 2016 follow-up review highlighted significant progress, particularly in innovative practices such as using social media and online platforms to share regulatory information, which was awarded as the best practice that enabled regulatory effectiveness.
China has strengthened cooperation with major nuclear nations, signing nuclear safety agreements with 22 countries. Under the Belt and Road Initiative, China has provided technical support in nuclear safety to developing countries, including assistance with building and operating the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant in Pakistan. These projects not only boosted Pakistan's energy capacity, but also served as models for enhancing nuclear safety in other regions.
Over the past decade, China has carried out over 900 international workshops on nuclear safety exchanges and hosted more than ten major international events in cooperation with IAEA and OECD-NEA, contributing the country's efforts in building global nuclear safety governance.
Compared to the rapid development of the US and France, China has the advantage of being a "latecomer," adopting more advanced technologies and management concepts, along with a mature supply chain and operational experience. With its independent and effective regulatory system, China has ensured the safe development of its nuclear energy and technology.
"China always adheres to the principle of 'safety first.' By integrating the highest global safety standards into its new nuclear projects and continuously innovating regulatory practices, China has proven that its nuclear power development is both safe and responsible," said nuclear safety expert Chai Guohan.
Sam Hou Fai was elected by an overwhelming majority as the sixth-term chief executive designate of China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) on Sunday.
He won the election with 394 votes in favor out of 398 valid ballots. Song Man Lei, president of the Electoral Affairs Commission for the Chief Executive Election, announced Sam the winner.
The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council congratulated Sam on his election, stating that this successful outcome fully reflects the heartfelt support of Macao society for the policy of "one country, two systems," as well as the firm confidence in the development path and achievements of the SAR over the past 25 years. It also demonstrates the widespread recognition of Sam, and the earnest expectations of Macao society for new progress and development under the new leadership, said the office in a statement on Sunday.
The election process and outcome further fostered a sense of unity and collective progress within Macao's society and gathered collective efforts for "upholding integrity and innovation," which is crucial in fully implementing the principle of "patriots administering Macao" and continually advancing the successful practice of "one country, two systems" with Macao characteristics, the statement said.
"We believe that the newly elected chief executive of the Macao SAR will unite and lead Macao's society in fostering unity, driving innovation, and creating a brighter future for Macao, making a significant contribution to advancing Chinese modernization, the development of a strong nation and the cause of national rejuvenation," the statement said.
According to Macao's Chief Executive Election Law, an election is valid if two-thirds of the 400-member election committee are present to vote. To be elected, a candidate must receive support from more than half of the committee's members, which is at least 200 votes, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
As prescribed by the Basic Law of the Macao SAR, the chief executive is elected by a broadly representative Chief Executive Election Committee and is then appointed by the Central People's Government. The chief executive serves a five-year term and may be re-elected once. The sixth-term chief executive is expected to take office on December 20.
Born in Zhongshan, South China's Guangdong Province, 62-year-old Sam was enrolled in Peking University Law School in 1981. He also studied Portuguese language and culture, and law at the University of Coimbra in Portugal. He once practiced as a lawyer on the Chinese mainland, according to Macao Radio.
In 1997, he was appointed as a judge to the Court of First Instance in Macao. On the day following Macao's return to the motherland in 1999, he was appointed by Ho Hau Wah, first chief executive of the Macao SAR, as president of the Court of Final Appeal, a position he has held for nearly 25 years. During his tenure, he served as the presiding judge for many major cases, including the corruption case involving Macao's former chief prosecutor Ho Chio Meng, according to Hong Kong Economic Journal.
After Song announced the election result, warm applause was heard in the hall.
In his speech upon election, Sam expressed his gratitude to the committee members.
He highlighted his commitment to faithfully fulfilling his political platform and manifesto, with the primary goal of meeting people's expectations for a better life. His highest principles will be fully, accurately, and steadfastly implementing the "one country, two systems" policy and safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests, he said.
The smooth election reflects the consensus built during the process, bringing people's hearts together, Li Xiaobing, a Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan affairs expert from Nankai University, told the Global Times on Sunday.
Sam's educational background at Peking University in the mainland and his following public service experience in Macao contributed to his deft handling of many cases as he served as president of the Court of Final Appeal in Macao. His past experiences showed that he is a person of foresight, with a deep understanding of the Basic Law of the Macao SAR and the essence of the "one country, two systems" principle.
According to Li, "patriots administering Macao" has become a social consensus and the mainstream value in the Macao SAR, as well as a successful practice of the "one country, two systems" principle. Sam's election with such a high number of votes is, in fact, a reflection of the implementation of this principle, Li said.
China on Thursday sent a new high-orbit internet services satellite into space from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the country's southwestern Sichuan Province.
The satellite was launched at 9:50 p.m. (Beijing Time) aboard a Long March-3B carrier rocket and then entered its preset orbit. It is the third member of an internet delivery high-orbit satellite group.
The launch was the 538th mission of the Long March carrier rocket series, the launch center said.
